North Dakota abortion law overturned by federal judge

North Dakota – A restrictive abortion law in North Dakota has been overturned by a federal judge. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the law, which bans abortions for women who are as early as six weeks pregnant, was overturned by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on Wednesday.

Hovland determined the law to be “invalid and unconstitutional” and unable to “withstand a constitutional challenge.” Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed the measure into law last year along with three additional anti-abortion bills.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said after the judge’s decision that he was not sure what the state would do next.

Stenehjem is quoted by the AP as stating, “I still need to read and digest the opinion and visit with the governor and others to see what we want to do from here… There are those who believed that this was a challenge that could go to the Supreme Court. Whether or not that’s likely is something we need to confer about.”

This report is provided by Justice News Flash – North Dakota Legal News